Gripper and jack assembly for platforms and supporting columns



Jan. 27, 1959 G. E. suDERow v GRIPPER AND JACK ASSEMBLY FOR PLATFORMSAND SUPPORTING` COLUMNS 8 Sheets-Sheet 1 ATTORNEYS,

Jan. 27, 1959 G. E. sDERo GRIPPER AND JACK ASSEMBLY AND SUPPORTING co 8Sheets-Shet 2 FOR PLATFORMS LUMNS Filed June 2. 1953 GneogpE. ,Sudeznw IJan. 27, 1959 G. E. suDERow 2,870,639

GRIPPER AND JACK ASSEMBLY Fon PLATFORMS AND SUPPORTING cQLuMNs 8Sheets-Sheet 3.

Filed June 2. 195s INVENTOR;

N Jan. 27, 1959 G. E. suDERow GRIPPER -AND JACK ASSEMBLY FoR PLATFORMSAND SUPPORTING coLuMNs 8 Sheets-Sheet 4 Filed June 2, 1953 INV ENT OR.

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Y ATToRNEY Jan. 27, 1959 G. E. suDERow 2,870,639

GRIPPER AND JACK ASSEMBLY FOR PLATFORMS ANO SUPPORTING COLUMNS FiledJune 2, 1953 8 Sheets-Sheet 5 ATTORNEYS.

Jan. Z7, 1959 G. E. sum-:Row 2,870,639

ORIPPER ANO JACK ASSEMBLY POR PLATFORMS ANO SUPPORTING COLUMNS Filed Junef 2, 1953 8 Sheets-Sheet 6 102 f ,96 1oz (epzg E. Suderpm 1MM A?ATTORNEY JUL 27, 1959 G. E. sUDERow 2,870,539

GRIPPER ANO JACK ASSEMBLY FOR PLATFORMS ANO SUPPORTING COLUMNS FiledJune 2, 1953 8 Sheets-Sheet 7 IN VENTOR ATTORNEYS.

Jan.- 27, 1959 G. E. suDERow GRIPPER AND JACK ASSEMBLY FOR PLATFORMS ANDSUPPORTING COLUMNS 8 Sheets-Sheet 8 Filed June 2. 1955 I NVE NTOR IATTORNEYS.

United StatesI Patent O GRIPPER AND JA'CK ASSEMBLY FOR PLATFORMS ANDSUPPORTING COLUMNS George E. Snderow, Staten Island, N. Y., assignor toDeLong Corporation, a corporation of Delaware Application June 2, 1953,Serial No. 359,115 12 Claims. (Cl. 74162) by such a mechanism obviouslyis limited by the friction between the metal and the rubber. 'In somecases, as when the supporting leg becomes smeared with oil or mud, thefrictional engagement between the jacking mechanism and the supportingleg is lessened so that an even lesser load can be carried by thejacking mechanism.

Accordingly, it is an object of this invention to provide an improvedjacking mechanism, of the type disclosed in the aforesaid Pointerapplication, wherein thev engagement between the jacking mechanism and asupporting column is effected by metal-to-metal contact.

It is another object of this invention to provide an improved jackingmechanism of the type described in the aforesaid Pointer applicationwhich can carry greater loads, with substantially no increase inoperating power, than the Pointer type of jacking mechanism.

It is a further object of this invention to provide an improved jackingmechanism of the type disclosed in the aforesaid Pointer applicationwherein the engagement between the jacking mechanism and a supportingleg is selfenergizingy so that the greater the load, the tighter thejacking mechanism will grip the supporting leg.

Other objects and advantages of the invention will become apparent fromthe following description when taken in conjunction with theaccompanying claims and drawings.

Referring to the drawings in which are shown preferred embodiments ofthe invention:

Figure 1 is a fragmentary plan view, with parts omitted or shown indotted lines, of an improved jack assembly constructed in accordancewith the present invention.

Figure 2 is a fragmentary sectional view taken substantially along theline 2 2 of Figure 1.

Figure 3 is a fragmentary sectional view taken substantially along theline 3--3 of Figure 1.

Figure `4 is an enlarged fragmentary plan View, partly in section, of asegment of the gripper assembly shown in Figure l.

Figure 5 is an enlarged plan view of one of the slip members shown inFigure 1.

Figure 6 is a rear elevational view of the member shown in Figure 5.

Figure 7 is a front or face elevational view of the member shown invFigure 5.

Figure 8 is an enlarged, fragmentary, plan view of a portion of Figure 1showing a slip or shoe member connected to a segment.

2,870,639 Patented Jan. 27, 1959 Figure 9 is a bottom plan view of theshowing of Figure 8.

Figure 10 is a sectional view taken substantially along the line 10-10of Figure 8.

Figure 11 is a fragmentary sectional view taken substantially along theline 11-11 of Figure 1.

Figure 12 is a fragmentary sectional -view taken substantially along theline 12-12 of Figure l.

Figure 12a is a sectional view similar to Figure 12 but taken through alower part of the jack assembly.

Figure 13 is an enlarged fragmentary side elevational view of a portionof the assembly shown in Figure 1 and taken in the direction of thearrow 13 of Figure 1.

Figure 14 is an enlarged fragmentary plan view of a portion of Figure 1.y

Figure 15 is a sectional view taken substantially along the line 15-15of Figure 16.

Figure 16 is a fragmentary side elevational View of the assembly shownin Figure 1.

Figure 17 is a fragmentary sectional plan view takenA substantiallyalong the line 17-17 of Figure 15.

Figure 18 is a fragmentary sectional view taken substantially along theline 18-18 of Figure 17.

Figure 19 is a fragmentary sectional View taken on line 19-19 of Figure17, of the upper jack channel member.

Figure 20 is an enlarged fragmentary View of a portion of Figure 18.

Figure 21 is an enlarged fragmentary view, partly in section, of anotherportion of Figure 18.

Referring to the drawings and more particularly Figures 15 and 16, theimproved jack assembly is generally indicated by the numeral 25, and forthe purpose of illustration is shown associated with a base in the formof a floating barge 26 having a deck 27 and guiding wells 27 througheach of which loosely extends a supporting column, upright, or pile 28,here shown in the form of a caisson. At an erection site the jackassemblies 25 may be operated to move the caissons 28 down intoengagement with the marine bottom and raise the barge 26 on thecaissons, as described more in detail in the aforementioned Pointerapplication. Each jack assembly 25 comprises an upper gripper 29 and asubstantially identical lower gripper 30 (Fig. 15) which are selectivelycontrollable to frictionally engage the outer surface of the column 28or be readily released therefrom.

Each of the grippers includes a segmental ring or annular member 31(Figure 1) having a plurality of segments or sections 32, 33, and 34,preferably three in number. Carried on the inner side of each of thesegments are a plurality of circumferentially spaced gripper slips orshoes 35 which are movably mounted on each segment by upper and lowerflexible members 36 and 39 (Figure 8). The members 36 are connected tothe tops of the sections and the slips 35 by screws 37 and washers 38.`Similarly, the bottom of each section and an adjacent slip are movablyconnected together by the flexible members 39 and retaining screws 40.Each of the flexible members is formed of any suitable durable material,such as rubber or the like and permits independent vertical movement ofthe ring 31 relative to the slips or shoes 35 within predeterminedlimits and also radial or lateral displacement of the slips relative tothe ring 31.

The sections of the ring 31, such as the sections 32 and 33 (Figure 2),are each formed at one end with a reduced shouldered portion 41 havingan opening 42 prowith the slightly larger or wider opening 42 in theadjacent end of an adjacent section or segment so as to receive aconnecting pin in the form of a wedge or tapered member 46. It will beseen that vertical movement of the wedge member 46 in engagement withthe opposed vertical and' inclined Walls of the openings 45 and 42 willmove the sections of the ring 31 towards each other so as to reduce thecircumference and diameter of the ring. A suitable resilient buffer orstop 22 may be positioned in the space between the arms 44 (Figure 2) toabut and limit the inward movement of the end 41 of the adjacentsection.

Each of the wedges 46 is vertically displaceable by suitable operatingmeans such as the piston rod 47 of a double-acting fluid pressurecylinder 48 (Figure 3). its lower end the cylinder 48 is pivotallyconnected to the outer side of an adjacent section of the ring 31 by asupporting bracket or plate 49 having an upstanding arm 50 which may bewelded thereto as at 51 and to which is pivotally connected by a pin 52a depending bifurcated arm 53 extending from the cylinder. The upper endof the rod 47 has a bifurcated head 53 to which is pivotally connected abar 54 by a pin 55. The bar 54 is welded to a transverse plate 56 as at57. The plate 56 is preferably of channel shape so as to have thedepending sides 58 and is secured to the top of the wedge 46 by screws59. Fluid under pressure may be introduced into or withdrawn from theopposite ends of the cylinder 48 through flexible supply pipes orconduits 60 and 61 (Figure 13).

In order to assist the wedges 46 in reducing the diameter of the ring 31and to positively expand the latter when the wedges are released, anauxiliary horizontally disposed, double-acting fluid pressure cylinder62 connects the adjacent endsk of the ring segments (Figure 1). Eachcylinder is mounted between a pair of vertically spaced horizontal arms63 (Figure 11) welded as at 64 to a channel shaped member 65 which inturn is welded as at 66 tothe outer side of one of the sections of thering. The cylinder 62 has trunnions 67 extending from opposite sidesthereof and arranged to t int-o bearing openings 68 formed in the arms63. The piston rod 69 of the cylinder 62 is pivotally connected by a pin70 to a lug 71 extending outwardly from the reduced end portion 41 ofthe adjacent ring segment (Figure 13). The cylinder 62' and itsassociated parts are maintained in position `by retaining plates 72 andscrews 73 which fit into corresponding threaded openings formed in thearms 63. Fluid under pressure may be introduced into and withdrawn fromthe opposite ends of the cylinder 62 through the flexible hose orconduits 74 and 75 (Figure 13). Thus, it will be seen that when thepiston rod 69 is moved outwardly relative to the cylinder, it willexpand or increase the diameter of the sectional ring 31 and conversely,when the piston rod 69 is moved inwardly, it will contract the ring. Theoperation of the double-acting cylinders 62 is synchronized with theoperation of the cylinders 48 so that when the wedge members 46 areraised, the sections will simultaneously be pulled together so as toreduce the diameter of the ring 21. Conversely, when the wedge members46 are moved downwardly to release the sections of the ring, the piston69 is moved outwardly to positively expand the ring.

Each of the sectional rings 31 preferably is of outwardly-facing channelshape (Figure l2) and is provided on its inner side or periphery withcircumferentially spaced guide plates 76 having downwardly inclinedupper edges 77 for facilitating the insertion of a caisson orv the like28 within the ring. The guide plates 76 are positioned between adjacentslips 35 of each of the sections of the ring (Figure 1) and coact withsimilarly formed guide members 78 carried by the bifurcated arms 44 ofeach of the sections of the ring (Figure 3) so that the caisson 28 orother cylindrical supporting member may be guided into the ring.

As best shown in Figures 4, 5, 6, and 10, the inner surlface or side ofeach of the sections is of increased radius between its ends, as at 79(Figure 4) and provided opposite each shoe 35 with a pair ofcircumferentiallyspaced, generally radially inwardly-extending lugs orprojections 80 having downwardly and inwardly inclined inner wedgingsurfaces 80 which are arranged to coact with complementary inclinedwedging surfaces 81 on lugs 81 extending outwardly from each of the slipmembers 35 (Figure 5). The slip members 35 on opposite sides of each lug81 are provided with similar lugs 82 having outer wedging surfaces 82 ofan inclination opposite to that of the surfaces 81 and which coact withcomplementary wedging surfaces 83 on lugs 83 on the inner side of theadjacent ring section.

From the foregoing construction, itwill be seen that the center lugs 80and 81 interfit `between the circumferentially spaced lugs 82' and 83 tomaintain the shoes 35 against circumferential movement relative to thering 31. It also will be seen that relative vertical movement in eitherdirection between a shoe 35 and a ring 31 from the centered positionshown in Figures l0 and l5 will cause a mutual wedging action betweenthe surfaces 80 and 81 or between the surfaces 82 and 83 that will beeffective to move the shoe radially inwardly. Hence, when the shoes 35engage a leg 28, such relative movement will effect a tighter grippingengagement of the former with the latter. The exposed inner face 85 ofeach of the slips 35 is provided with serrations or teeth 86 so as toprovide a rm gripping engagement with the work, such as the caisson 28or the like, when the gripper is moved into clamping engagementtherewith.

The upper gripper 29, which is composed of a sectional ring 31 andcircumferentially spaced slips 35, is connected to the lower gripper 30,which is similarly formed of a sectional ring 31 and slips 35, in partby an upper bracket or connector 87 and a lower bracket or connector 88(Figures 15 and 16). Each of the bracket members may be formed ofspaced, vertical, parallel sides or flanges 89 (Figure 16) which areconnected by vertically-spaced horizontal webs 90 and 91. The upper endof each bracket member 87 extends inwardly as at 92 so as to t into the'channel portion 93 of a section of the ring 31 (Figures 10 and 15), whenthe parts are assembled. Each of the lower bracket members 88 is similarin form to the bracket 87 so that its end portion 92 fits in the channelportion 93 of an adjacent ring section (Figure l5). Between the uppergripper 29 and the lower gripper 30 are positioned circumferentiallyspaced, two-way uid pressure jacks 94, each of which has convex ends 95having centrally disposed threaded stems 96 which projectthrough-central openings 97 in concave thrust bearings 98 (Figure 20)and aligned openings 99 in vertically spaced jack rings 100 and 101 andare retained by nuts 96. Each of the rings 100 and 101 may be providedwith side flanges 102 welded or other` wise connected thereto, in orderto form annular channel members which face in opposite directions fromthe ends of the jacks 94. The bracket members 87 and 88 have inwardlyextending arms 103 and 104 (Figure 15) which are secured, as by welding,to the jack rings and 101 so that extension or retraction of all of thejacks 94 in unison is transmitted through the bracket members 87 and 88to the grippers 29 and 30.

Circumferentially spaced tie rods 105 having at their opposite endsT-shaped heads 106, are arranged to extend through openings 107 in thedeck 27 of the barge and slots 110 in the lower horizontal webs 91 ofthe upper brackets 87 (Figures l5, 16, and 17). The webs of the lowerbracket member 88 are slotted, as at 109 (Figure 16) to accommodate therods 105. Thus, it will be seen that the rods 105 may be readilydetachably con nected to the jack assembly 25. The upper ends of each ofthe rods 105 may be retained in position in the slots 110 by atransverse retaining bolt 112 that extends through spaced lugs 113 thatare welded to the inner opposed sides 89 of the bracket 87. It will beseen that when each lug 113 is mounted on the bracket member 87 and itsnut 114 tightened, it will releasably maintain the tie rod 105 in properposition. Each of the jacks 94 may be operatively connected to anysuitable source of hydraulic power through flexible conduits 115 and 116(Figure 18). Each of the jack rings 100 and 101 may be provided withspaced guide members 118 for both reinforcing the rings and guiding thecaisson 28 through the rings 100 during its insertion into the jackassembly.

In operation, it will be understood that the cylinders 48 and 62, aswell as the jacks 94, are operatively connected through control valvesto a source of hydraulic pressure. These valves are initially actuatedso that the upper and lower grippers are normally in their full openedor expanded position so that the caisson 28 may be inserted into thejack assembly (Figure 15). With the caisson moved down into engagementwith the marine bottom, and both the grippers 29 and 30 in their openposition, the jacks 94 are simultaneously operated to lraise the uppergriper 29 to its uppermost position, as shown in dotted lines in Figures15, and raise the tie rods 105 to the position shown in Figure 16. Theresulting downward thrust of the jacks 94 is taken by pedestals 117spaced about the well 27' beneath the lower ring 31 and resting on thedeck 27 of the barge 26. The upper gripper 29 is then clamped in tightfrictional engagement with the caisson 28 by actuation of the valvescontrolling the cylinders 48 and 62. This 'movement contracts the upperring 31 and moves the teeth 86 of the upper slips 35 into tight clampingengagement with the caisson 28. Each of the jacks 94 is now retracted soas to raise the lower gripper 30. The lower gripper 30 is then closed sothat the lower slips 35 engage the caisson. The upper gripper 29 is thenreleased by the reverse operation of the cylinders 48 and 62. The lowergripper 30 now firmly engages the caisson and the lifting jacks 94 areoperated to raise the upper gripper 29 which pulls the barge 20 alongtherewith. Consequently, a downward thrust is imparted to the caisson 28so that the latter is driven to a bearing in the marine bottom, andthereafter the barge is raised on the caisson by continuing to recyclethe jack assembly. By appropriate manipulation of the jack assembly, thebarge may be lowered so as to oat on the water and the caissons raisedso that the barge and the equipment thereon may be easily transported toanother point of use.

The lifting jacks 94 are circumferentially spaced so as to uniformlydistribute their forces around the caisson 28 in order tov efticientlyraise or lower the same. Each of the jacks 94 is retracted aftereachexpansion stroke so as to move the upper and lower grippers towards eachother. The tie rods 105 are slidably mounted in the openings 107 of thedeck 27 and are limited in their upward movement by engagement of thehead 106 with the underside ofthe deck. Instead of a two-way jack, othersuitable means may be provided, such as a single or ram type jack, tomove the grippers apart, and a separate jack or mechanical operatingmeans may be used to move the grippers toward each other.

It thus will be seen that the objects of this invention have been fullyand effectively accomplished. It will be realized, however, that theforegoing specific embodiment has been shown and described only for thepurpose of illustrating the principles of this invention and is subjectto extensive change without departure from such principles. Therefore,this invention includes all modifications encompassed within the spiritand scope of the following claims.

I claim:

1. A gripper assembly for selectively engaging or disengaging asmooth-surfaced, elongated, cylindrical element against relativemovement in either direction longitudinally of the element, comprising:a segmental ring adapted to surround the element; movable wedge meansinterconnecting the adjacent ends of each pair of adjacent segments ofsaid ring and effective on movement in one direction to contract saidring and force said segments radially inwardly into tight grippingengagement with the element and on movement in the opposite direction torelease said segments for expansion of said ring; and power-operatedmeans interconnecting said adjacent ends of each pair of adjacentsegments for moving said ends circumferentially apart to expand saidvring and move said segments radially outwardly on release of the latterby said wedge means.

2. A gripper assembly for selectively engaging or disengaging asmooth-surfaced elongated element against relative movement in eitherdirection longitudinally of the element, comprising: contractible ringmeans adapted to surround the element; at least one gripper shoe carriedby said ring means on the inner side thereof; and means defining twooppositely inclined sets of wedging surfaces on said ring means and saidshoe effective on relative movement therebetween in either directionlongitudinally of the element, from a centered relative position whereinthe surfaces of both sets are engaged, to force said shoe radiallyinwardly of said ring means.

3. A gripper assembly for selectively engaging or disengaging asmooth-surfaced, elongated, cylindrical element against relativemovement in either direction longitudinally of the element, comprising:a circularly arranged series of gripper shoes for surrounding theelement; means carrying said shoes and movable generally radiallyinwardly toward the element to engage said shoes therewith; and meansdefining two oppositely inclined sets of wedging surfaces on saidcarrying means and each shoe effective on relative movement therebetweenin either direction longitudinally of the element, from a centeredrelative position wherein the surfaces of both of said sets are engaged,to force said shoe radially inwardly of said carrying means.

4. The structure defined in claim 3 including resilient means fasteningeach shoe to the carrying means for normally maintaining the surfaces ofboth sets in engage'- ment.

5. A gripper assembly for selectively engaging or disengaging asmooth-surfaced, elongated, cylindrical element against relativemovement in either direction longitudinally of the element, comprising:a circularly arranged series of radially-movable members adapted tosurround the element; means interconnecting said elcments againstrelative movement therebetween longitudinally of the element; at leastone gripping shoe carried by each of said members for engagement withthe element; and means defining two oppositely inclined sets of wedgingsurfaces on each of said members and its corresponding shoe effective onrelative movement therebetween in either direction longitudinally of theelement, from a centered relative position wherein the surfaces of bothof said sets are engaged, to force said shoe radially inwardly of saidmember.

6. The structure defined in claim 5 including poweroperated means forselectively restraining or effecting radial movement ofthe members ineither direction.

7. In a jack mechanism releasably engageable with a smooth-surfaced,elongated, cylindrical element, the combination comprising: a pair ofspaced, coaxial segmental rings adapted to surround the element; meansfor selectively contracting or expanding each of said rings to move saidsegments thereof radially inwardly into, or outwardly out of, grippingengagement with the element; a pair of rigid rings coaxial with saidsegmental rings and positioned therebetween;` means connecting each ofthe segments of each segmental ring to one of said rigid rings formovement therewith in either direction longitudinally of the element andfor radial movement relative thereto; and power-operated means connectedto said rigid rings for selectively moving them axially toward or awayfrom each other.

8. The structure dened in claim 7 in which the power-operated meansincludes a plurality of uniformly spaced fluid pressure motorsinterposed between the rigid rings, and including means defining a pairof opposed, substantially sphecal thrust bearing surfaces between eachend of each of said motors and each of said rigid rings.

9. The structure delined in claim 7 in which the contracting orexpanding means includes wedge means interconnecting the adjacent endsof each pair of adjacent segments.

10. The stmcture defined in claim 7 including at least one gripper shoecarried by each segment and means defining two oppositely inclined setsof wedging surfaces on said segment and said shoe effective on relativemovement therebetween in either direction longitudinally of the element,from a centered relative position wherein the surfaces of both sets areengaged, to force said shoe radially inwardly of said segment.

11. The structure defined in claim 7 in which each segment has aradially-outwardly facing recess therein, and the connecting meansincludes members rigidly secured to the rigid rings and projecting intosaid recesses.

12. In a jacl; mechanism releasably engageable with a smooth-surfaced,elongated, cylindrical element, the combination comprising: two spaced,circularly-arranged, coaxial series of radially-movable member-s adaptedto surround the element; meansv interconnecting the elements of eachofsaid series against relative movement therebetween longitudinally ofthe element; at least one gripper shoe carried by each of said membersfor engagement with the element; means defining two oppositely-inclinedsets of wedging surfaces on each of said members and its correspondingshoe effective on relative movement therebetween in either directionlongitudinally of the element, from a centered relative position whereinthe surfaces of both of said sets are engaged, to force said shoeradially inwardly of said member; `power-operated means for selectivelyeffecting or restraining radial movement of all of the members of eachof said series in unison; and power-operated means connected to both ofsaid series for selectively moving them axially toward or away from eachother.

References Cited in the le of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 26,261Ehrenfeld Nov. 29, 1859 175,401 Williams Mar. 28, 1876 531,014 BarnesDec. 18, 1894 555,841 Adams Mar. 3, 1896 779,656 Kirk Jan, 10, 19051,194,209 Middaugh Aug. 8, 1916 2,035,242 McCann Mar. 24, 1936 2,208,747Campbell July 23, 1940 2,308,743 Bulkley Jan. 19, 1943 2,352,370Carruthers .Tune 27, 1944 2,555,145 McKinney May 29, 1951 2,592,448McMenimen Apr. 8, 1952 2,612,671 Martin Oct. 7, 1952 2,700,201 BannisterFeb. 8, 1955 FOREIGN PATENTS Great Britain Feb. 22, 1935

